A £1bn redevelopment of the former Shotton paper mill in Flintshire is set to revolutionize recycling in the UK, according to its owner, Eren Holding. The Turkish company is overseeing the transformation of the site into one of the UK’s largest facilities for producing cardboard and tissue, with up to 2,000 contractors working to bring the plant online by next year.
Eren Holding, which acquired the site in 2021, aims to establish the most advanced production plant of its kind in Europe. The project is seen as a key driver of industrial growth in North Wales, with both UK and Welsh governments hailing it as a significant boost to the economy. The UK government described it as a “massive vote of confidence,” while the Welsh government called it “excellent news” for Deeside and the surrounding region.
A Historic Site with a New Purpose
The Shotton Mill, once a major producer of newsprint paper with 530 employees, experienced a steep decline as demand for newsprint dwindled. Eren Holding’s acquisition and ambitious redevelopment plan mark a turning point for the site, which also includes part of the former Shotton Steelworks area.
The new facility will focus on processing a quarter of the UK’s waste cardboard—much of which is currently sent overseas for recycling—and converting it into containerboard for packaging and corrugated boxes, as well as tissue products. Eren Holding boasts that the plant will make the UK a net exporter of cardboard and tissue products, reversing the current trend of imports and positioning the country as a leader in sustainable recycling.
Advanced Technology and Job Creation
The site will house the most technologically advanced cardboard and tissue production machinery in Europe, and will operate with self-sufficient energy systems, including a hydrogen-enabled combined heat and power plant. Eren Holding plans to create 220 jobs at the facility, adding to the 147 existing positions it will safeguard.
Hamdullah Eren, a board member of Eren Holding, expressed excitement about the development, stating, “This is the first step towards building a world-class facility that will completely transform recycling levels in the UK. We are eager to begin production and realize our vision.”
Government Support and Regional Impact
The UK government has pledged financial backing through a £136m export development guarantee, which will enable Eren Holding to access high-value loans to support the project. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds praised the investment as a strong endorsement of the Welsh economy. Similarly, Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens and Wales’ Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning Rebecca Evans highlighted the project’s potential to secure jobs and spur long-term economic growth in the region. The Welsh government has contributed £13m to support the project.
A Personal Connection to the Site’s Legacy
For many like Jackie Pearson, director of corporate affairs for Shotton Mill, the redevelopment of the site carries deep personal meaning. Having started as an apprentice at the mill in 1985, Pearson has seen the site evolve over the decades and is now witnessing its transformation into a state-of-the-art production facility. Reflecting on the changes, she said, “It’s amazing to see this rising now out of the ground… It’s going to create a future for other people like me.”
With construction well underway, the new Shotton Mill is poised to play a pivotal role in boosting the UK’s recycling capacity and revitalizing a historic industrial site in North Wales.